Floral-inspired bed linens, pillows and the like

ABSTRACT

A decorative fabric simulating a natural flower, has a plurality of over-lapping fabric segments extending radially from a center area, similar to the petals of a flower, extending outward from the center of the flower. The fabric segments are each shaped to approximate the shape of a natural flower petal. And each of the fabric segments is secured to the center area of the blanket, so that the majority of each segment is left unsecured to any other segment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/871,003 filed Aug. 28, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to blankets, pillows, decorative coverings and the like, inspired by natural patterns, such as flower petals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floral prints, and even floral-shaped blankets, pillows, and decorative coverings are certainly nothing new. However, such products are typically printed with floral patterns and/or simply formed to simulate floral shapes and other naturally inspired shapes. The current invention is not merely a print or blanket shaped to simulate a floral shape, but instead is constructed with simulated “petals” that mimic the actual construction of a natural floral object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, as shown the accompanying images, FIGS. 1-5, a segmented blanket, pillow or the like is created to mimic the natural arrangement of the petals of a chosen flower type. Unlike other designs to simulate a flower, a real flower is used as the template for the design of the blanket or pillow.

The petals can be removed from the original flower to better understand the geometry for the arrangement of the individual petals of a natural flower. Individual pieces of fabric are then constructed into simulated petals using the geometry of the petals of a natural flower as a pattern. The simulated petals thus constructed can now be arranged according to the arrangement of the real petals of a natural flower as shown in the original template flower. A center piece of fabric is then added, and the simulated petals are sewn together at the center only. The petals are not connected beyond the center area, and are free to move independently, similar to the petals in a real flower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a real flower;

FIG. 2 illustrates the individual petals of a real flower;

FIG. 3 illustrates the arrangement of simulated petals used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the completed construction of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment for the center-portion of the present invention, forming a pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in the accompanying images, FIGS. 1-5, a segmented blanket or pillow is created to mimic the natural arrangement of the petals of a specific flower type. The current images provide an example for creating the present invention to mimic a traditional “pansy” flower, and it should be understood that the same method and construction can be used to simulate any other natural floral petal arrangement, for example, the hibiscus flower.

FIG. 1 is an image of a standard pansy flower 10, intact, with five distinct petals 11-15. The five petals 11-15 can be separated into individual segments, as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, each segment is than used to create a template for a fabric pattern, wherein a separate piece of fabric 21-25 is constructed to simulate each petal, and then the pieces of fabric, or simulated petals 21-25, are arranged together to mimic the natural pattern of the original flower 20. The arrangement for the simulated petals creates borders 30 which delineate each simulated petal. It should be understood that the fabrics for each simulated petal segment 21-25 can be of any material, and can be covered, or have added layers of quilting, or any other filling. By adding substantial filling to each layer, floral inspired pillows can be produced, or blankets, or other bed coverings and similar products.

As shown in FIG. 4, the individual segments 21-25 are then secured together around a central area 40, similar to the central connecting point of a flower in nature. The segments can either be secured to each other at a central focal point, or in the preferred embodiment, each segment is secured individually to a central fabric piece 41.

In its finished form (FIG. 4), the petals are only secured together at the central location 40 and 41, with an optional circumferential sewing seam 42 added a short distance from the center. The circumferential seam 42 is located near the center, and the majority of each border 30 is left free, and unattached to the adjacent simulated petal. A small portion 31 of the border 30 is located between the center 41 and the circumferential seam 42. Additional seams may be added along this inner portion 31 of each border, to secure the simulated petal segments together near the center. The individual segments (simulating petals) are otherwise free to move independently of one another.

It is preferred that the circumferential seam 42 is positioned such that the distance between the center point and the circumferential seam is no more than one-third the radius of the decorative fabric.

In another embodiment, pockets 45 can be added to any of the segments, or to the central portion. Ideally, such pockets are added to the central portion. A pocket-based center 40 a is constructed of pocketed central piece 41 a. The pocket is created simply by adding an additional layer of fabric 45 to the center portion 41 a, with one side left open 46 for access and use as a pocket. An alternative placement for the pockets is on the underside of over-lapping portions of the segments, where the pocket is thus concealed from view, but easily accessed by lifting up the appropriate segment.

It should be understood that an exemplified embodiment of the present invention is a throw blanket. However, a similar product can easily be foreseen for full size blankets for any sized bed (including cribs), bed coverings, tapestries, or smaller pillows and pillow coverings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative article of fabric simulating a natural flower, comprising a plurality of over-lapping fabric segments extending radially from a center area, said fabric segments having a shape that approximates the shape of a natural flower petal; wherein each of said fabric segments is secured to the center area of the article, and the majority of each segment is left unsecured to any other segment.
 2. A decorative article of fabric as set forth in claim 1, wherein the center area comprises an additional, approximately circular, piece of fabric.
 3. A decorative article of fabric as set forth in claim 2, wherein said center area is formed as a pocket.
 4. A decorative article of fabric as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a circumferential sewing seam that secures all of the fabric segments together, wherein the distance between the center point and said circumferential sewing seam is no more than one-third the radius of the decorative fabric.
 5. A decorative article of fabric as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a circumferential sewing seam that secures all of the fabric segments together, wherein the distance between the center point and said circumferential sewing seam is no more than one-third the radius of the decorative fabric.
 6. A method of making a decorative article of fabric simulating a natural flower, comprising: constructing a plurality of fabric segments based on the shape and number of the petals of the natural flower being simulated; arranging said fabric segments radially around a center area such that said segments overlap in arrangements similar to the overlapping petals of the natural flower being simulated; and securing the fabric segments together at or near the center area, such that the majority of each segment remains unattached, and thus simulates the plurality of petals attached at the center area of the natural flower.
 7. A method of making a decorative article of fabric simulating a natural flower as set forth in claim 6, further comprising the step of sewing a circumferential seam, that secures all of the fabric segments together, around the center area, wherein the distance between the center point and said circumferential sewing seam is no more than one-third the radius of the decorative fabric.
 8. A decorative article of fabric simulating a natural flower made by constructing a plurality of fabric segments based on the shape and number of the petals of the natural flower being simulated; arranging said fabric segments radially around a center area such that said segments overlap in arrangements similar to the overlapping petals of the natural flower being simulated; and securing the fabric segments together at or near the center area, such that the majority of each segment remains unattached, and thus simulates the plurality of petals attached at the center area of the natural flower.
 9. A decorative article of fabric simulating a natural flower as set forth in claim 8, wherein the article further having been made by the step of sewing a circumferential seam, that secures all of the fabric segments together, around the center area wherein the distance between the center point and said circumferential sewing seam is no more than one-third the radius of the decorative fabric. 